The Conversation

After Afghanistan, US military presence abroad faces domestic and foreign opposition in 2022

Written by Michael A. Allen, Associate Professor of Political Science, Boise State University

U.S. Army soldiers walk to their C-17 cargo plane for departure on May 11, 2013, at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

In August 2021, the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan after fighting a war there for nearly 20 years.

In addition to Afghanistan, the U.S. has reduced its military presence in several other...

'Don’t Look Up': Hollywood's primer on climate denial illustrates 5 myths that fuel rejection of science

Written by Gale Sinatra, Professor of Education and Psychology, University of Southern California

Every disaster movie seems to open with a scientist being ignored. “Don’t Look Up” is no exception – in fact, people ignoring or flat out denying scientific evidence is the point.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence play astronomers who make a literally Earth-shattering discovery and then try to persuade the president to...

How cybercriminals turn paper checks stolen from mailboxes into bitcoin

Written by David Maimon, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Georgia State University

Mailboxes are increasingly becoming the scene of a crime. GregAIT/E+ via Getty Images

While cybercrime gets a lot of attention from law enforcement and the media these days, I’ve been documenting a less high-tech threat emerging in recent months: a surge in stolen checks.

Criminals are increasingly targeting U.S. Postal Service and personal...

When researchers don't have the proteins they need, they can get AI to 'hallucinate' new structures

Written by Ivan Anishchenko, Acting instructor in Computational Biology, University of Washington

De novo protein design with deep learning can open new doors for medicine and many other fields. Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

All living organisms use proteins, which encompass a vast number of complex molecules. They perform a wide array of functions, from allowing plants to use solar energy for oxygen production to helping...

What's the difference between sugar, other natural sweeteners and artificial sweeteners? A food chemist explains sweet science

Written by Kristine Nolin, Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Richmond

Sugar is just one of many flavor enhancers people and companies use to sweeten foods and beverages.Marie LaFauci/Moment via Getty Images

A quick walk down the drink aisle of any corner store reveals the incredible ingenuity of food scientists in search of sweet flavors. In some drinks you’ll find sugar. A diet soda might have an artificial or...

The promise of repairing bones and tendons with human-made materials

Written by Brittany Taylor, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida

Musculoskeletal injuries can cause severe pain and lead to greater problems. PeopleImages/E+ via Getty Images

Brittany Taylor is a biomedical engineer and assistant professor who studies novel ways to improve bone and tendon healing after injuries. She is exploring drug delivery systems and temporary artificial tissue replacements to promote...

Why does experiencing 'flow' feel so good? A communication scientist explains

Written by Richard Huskey, Assistant Professor of Communication and Cognitive Science, University of California, Davis

Research shows that people who have flow as a regular part of their lives are happier and less likely to focus on themselves.Yulkapopkova/E+ via Getty Images

New years often come with new resolutions. Get back in shape. Read more. Make more time for friends and family. My list of resolutions might not look quite the same as yours, but each of our...

What is pay-as-you-throw? A waste expert explains

Written by Lily Baum Pollans, Assistant Professor of Urban Policy and Planning, Hunter College

When people have to pay for every bag of trash they throw out, they produce less waste.Mint Images RF via Getty Images

Pay-as-you-throw is a policy that charges people for the amount of trash they toss out. It’s also sometimes called variable-rate pricing or pay-as-you-waste.

Many cities and towns around the world, including over 7,000 in the...

Future engineers need to understand their work's human impact – here's how my classes prepare students to tackle problems like climate change

Written by Gordon D. Hoople, Assistant Professor of Engineering, University of San Diego

Engineering classes at the University of San Diego have started integrating discussions of the social impact of technology like drones.Gordon Hoople

Engineers spend much of their time absorbed in the technical aspects of problems, whether they’re designing the next generation of smartphones or building a subway.

As recent news stories attest,...

Zoos and aquariums shift to a new standard of 'animal welfare' that depends on deeper understanding of animals' lives

Written by Michael J. Renner, Professor of Biology, Psychology, and Environmental Science & Sustainability, and director of the program in Zoo & Conservation Science, Drake University

Climbers must climb, diggers must dig and runners must run. Doris Rudd Designs, Photography/Moment via Getty Images

In 1980 I visited the zoo in a major U.S. city and found row after row of bare concrete boxes with jailhouse-style bars occupied by animals from around the world. The animals appeared to be in good physical condition, but many were...